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Author
Topic: Avatars (Read 16915 times)

Ok,I know I'm going to get jumped all over for this but folks enough is enough with the avatars.Some people seem to be trying to out do each other with their avatars. There's quite a differences between provocative and tasteless. We're now seeing peoples pubic hair and peoples asses. Could we have some kind of guidelines, preferably informal self policed ones?This may be a board that's used to discuss a disease thats most commonly spread by sex but it's not a pickup board.

Before the typical soap opera star crew jumps in and starts screaming at me, I'm not asking for anything drastic, I'm saying ok we've started crossing the line, please take 2 steps back. In answer to the next question, no I do not want to turn off avatars because in some cases it gives me some in sight to the poster and sometimes it I just like them.

Forget the pubic hair, I'd rather see the entire goods, and an ass is always a good thing, as long as it's a nice ass! The last thing we need is more policing of the forums. We've already lot the ability to modify posts over 2 days old (without the assistance of a moderator). For the most part, the avatars are so small that it's hard to see much detail anyway. Hell, I was going to use some more revealing pics of me on my bike for my avatar, but I'd hate to offend!

We (the moderators) do occassionally ask members to remove or change their avatars -- or photos posted in messages -- in the event that we receive complaints (yes, plural) from other members about them... and the avatars really do have to be pretty offensive for us to do this. Right now, we're not seeing any avatars in the Forums that are particularly offensive, nor have we received any specific complaints in recent days/weeks about specific avatars/photos.

There's really no accounting for taste and "crossing the line" is very subjective.

I might suggest that we try to keep any pubes out of the pictures, and on that note, also privates, front and back.

However, I also need to remind you that this is an international forum, and in that light, many countries around the world are not at all put off by any nudity, both frontal and backal. We here in the United States, are probably the most prudish of nations, outside of those of the Islamic bent.

So we are left with a quandry of judgement, and that I guess has to become personal. That leaves us right where we started, so I guess it is sort of like the circle of life, and I need to go back to CNN and see more and more photos of a scantily clad Anna Nichole Smith, or Paris Hilton's crotch.

Thanks for the opportunity to think about this one and discuss it.

Love.

Logged

The Bible contains 6 admonishments to homosexuals,and 362 to heterosexuals.This doesn't mean that God doesn't love heterosexuals, It's just that they need more supervision.Lynn Lavne

What is or who is the typical soap opera star crew? Put avatars you find offensive on ignore and report them to the moderators. In the end (no pun intended) they would make all the decisions regarding avatars anyway.

I find your avatars of the naked dachshunds to be quite offensive. You have one in particular where I can see his penis. Please refrain from using this one please, especially when my little dachshund is in heat. She left a little blood spot behind the computer chair last time you used it...

My favorite avatar is Ihavehope's and all I want to know is who the hell she is... That girl is PHAT (plenty hips and thighs).

I find your avatars of the naked dachshunds to be quite offensive. You have one in particular where I can see his penis. Please refrain from using this one please, especially when my little dachshund is in heat. She left a little blood spot behind the computer chair last time you used it...

My favorite avatar is Ihavehope's and all I want to know is who the hell she is... That girl is PHAT (plenty hips and thighs).

For anyone who thinks they may be offended by the avatars others have chosen to use, you don't have to see avatars at all.

Go into your profile and look at the column in the middle of the page. There you'll see a link to the page where you can change how the forums appear to you, called "Look and Layout Preferences". On that page you can check a box that says "Don't show users' avatars". Once you do this, be sure you click on the "Change Profile" button.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I think that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and anyone is entitled to put a picture of their choice on the avatar. If it becomes too offensive to many people then you can complain to the moderators and the moderators will make the decision to remove it or not.

I choose to place pictures of objects and people who are in the public eye and exhibitionist (no-nude one's althought very revealing) because this forum is serious enough that I feel I need to lighten up a little by changing my avatar with what "I" consider entertaining pictures. If people other than myself find it entertaining as well then even better. I personally have a good laugh with the avatar pics I post. What is vulgar to some may be artistic and sexy to others. I am sure straight people in this forum don't like to read the Top/Bottom thread or any gay related thread as much us gay men. If you can't relate to a thread or don't understand what the avatar picture is about then don't look at it, after all it is very small. lolz. I certainly don't like to read many threads here because I can't relate to them or don't find much sense into them so I simply ignore them. It's called tolerance.

I haven't received any complaints about mine so I'll keep it! If I do receive one reproach, though, I may try to take that little white strap of fabric away from Saint Sebastain heavenly waist/body...!

I haven't received any complaints about mine so I'll keep it! If I do receive one reproach, though, I may try to take that little white strap of fabric away from Saint Sebastain heavenly waist/body...!

So, are we talking about offense to... family members who mightbe viewing the avatars? Kiddies? Significant others? Or just someone doesn't like what they see?

I am always amused when someone attempts to impose their sensibilities on the group. Best of luck with all that.

Logged

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

My comment was simple, of course as usual it got taken to the extreme.I specifically said pubes and ass shots were pushing the envelope. I also explained I had a specific reason for not wanting to turn off avatars, nor do I want to ignore folks just because they choose to put a picture of their pubes out here. I also asked that we as a community self police ourselves thus avoiding more hard fast rules.The owner of the site responded and stated there was nothing offensive out there. End of story.

My comment was simple, of course as usual it got taken to the extreme.I specifically said pubes and ass shots were pushing the envelope. I also explained I had a specific reason for not wanting to turn off avatars, nor do I want to ignore folks just because they choose to put a picture of their pubes out here. I also asked that we as a community self police ourselves thus avoiding more hard fast rules.The owner of the site responded and stated there was nothing offensive out there. End of story.

And yet I was approached by the mods. Glad to oblige.

Logged

Blessed with brains, talent and gorgeous tits.

The revolutionary smart set reads The Spin Cycle at least once every day.

JK, the topic is closed in this case and was done so quickly by the owner of the site.

In response to your statement about imposing my sensibilities on you, let me ask this.Is it my right to make a simple request that includes the reasoning behind that request?Is your stance that what I find objectionable is less important than what those who would post pictures of their dicks find objectionable?I personally don't want to see your dick. Does that mean my desire to limit that without having to ignore you means less than the fact that you may want to show yours? If so why are your sensibilities more important than mine?

Lets take it to the extreme.If I think it's perfectly OK to walk up and punch you in the mouth, While you think it's not ok to do so, why is your choice going to over ride my choice? My answer is because as a community we decided that it's not OK. I asked that we as a community draw a line. Thats all. I also stated where I would personally draw the line. Instead of discussing that folks accused me of trying to force my morality on them.

This is not an argument for this specific case, nor is it a personal attack on anyone, it is a simple question I'm throwing out for debate.

We got your point, Grinch! I personally don't think anyone (besides Bucko?) was offended by what you say. And you're right: "Debate is good!" What most people here like to do in cases like this, though, is to joke around. That's all! At least that is how I see and react to it!

Val______P.S.I know you are a quite sensitive guy and understand that perfectly well. I used to be like that...

Thing is, I do not equate having an avatar of questionable taste with punching someone in the mouth. I do however, long for the day when my list of problems has been whittled down to objecting to an avatar.

And for the record, no one actively posting on the forum has seen my penis, to the best of my knowledge.

Which reminds me: Where is Taij??

hehe.

*edited for terrible typing. These monkey paws.

Logged

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

I do not equate having my abs and upper thighs pictured with exposing my penis to the forums. I actually have never posted any pic of my genitals here at AM. Nor have I ever considered mining the forums for hook-ups.

For that, I just go to Manhunt. I am big enough to know the difference.

And since when has seeing my thigh been the same as a punch in anyone's mouth? I've been told that my legs are among my finest features.

Brent(Who finds the human body lovely, not painful like a punch in the mouth)

Logged

Blessed with brains, talent and gorgeous tits.

The revolutionary smart set reads The Spin Cycle at least once every day.

should i change mine? it may be something totally different thatn what someone might think it may be.

its sort of art, no? abstraction, representation of what it could be, but is not or could be.

i understand where you guys are coming from though. if more than 3 peopel ask me to change my avatar, i will....

Do those who ask you not to change it subtract from those do ask you to change it? Is it a gross 3 or a net 3 in terms of requests?

And Grinch, it IS your right to ask whatever you want. It's unrealistic for you to expect everybody (anybody) to necessarily agree. I agree with JK... when an avatar is all I have to worry about, I probably won't need the support of this forum. A punch in the face is not something that can be turned off, like Ann mentioned. I think Thunter's current avatar is perfectly hideous and can't wait for him to replace it with that hot face of his again, but who am I to complain?

David

(edited again 'cause I still make typos, damn dyslexia!)(edited again 'cause Thunter has replaced his avatar )

Personally, I haven't found any avatars to be offensive. I liked Bucko's previous avatar, it showed just enough to leave you wanting more....What a tease... Like Grinch, I think he said it, I get get a sense of the person by their avatars or a glimpse of their personality.

I can relate to what you are saying Grinch but I think the only thing you can do is what Ann suggested and shut them off.